Bio-Inspired Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Sensors for Surface and Canal Flow Sensing in Dynamic Environments

Nature can often create some of the most efficient and elegant solutions to complex problems, and engineering stands to benefit greatly from these time-tested designs. One of the more sophisticated examples of this is the lateral line system in fish: a distributed network of superficial and canal neuromasts that enables aquatic species to detect fluid disturbances with remarkable precision. This dissertation leverages that biological framework to explore the potential of electroactive polymers (EAPs), aiming not just to replicate structure, but to emulate function.Two classes of EAPs form the basis of this work: electroactive plasticized polymer gels (EPPGs) and ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs). Both offer their own unique morphology and mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) mechanisms that make them well-suited candidates for mimicking the different components of an artificial lateral line. Their implementation is examined across two case studies: (1) a soft surface-mounted sensing skin inspired by superficial neuromasts, and (2) an internal sensor embedded within a synthetic canal structure, emulating the filtering behavior of canal neuromasts. The relationship between fluid dynamics, sensor geometry, and EAP response was explored through an integrated analytical, numerical, and experimental framework. The artificial skin successfully detected turbulent transitions at predicted thresholds, capturing nuanced spatial disturbances downstream. The canal sensor exhibited clear frequency-selective resonance around 90–110 Hz, matching analytical and simulation predictions. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of bioinspired EAP flow sensors and highlight opportunities to refine analytical models through experimental insights, enhancing real-world fluid sensing applications.